You Are How the Public Humanities Happen

As I reflect on 2024, I'm reminded of Carl Sandburg's poem "Happiness," where he discovers joy not in scholarly definitions or executive offices, but in the simple gathering of community along the Des Plaines River. 

I asked professors who teach the meaning of life to tell me what is happiness.
And I went to famous executives who boss the work of thousands of men.
They all shook their heads and gave me a smile as though I was trying to fool
      with them.
And then one Sunday afternoon I wandered out along the Desplaines river
And I saw a crowd of Hungarians under the trees with their women and
      children and a keg of beer and an accordion.

Throughout this year, I've found similar moments of connection while witnessing the public humanities in action across Illinois – from Macomb to Marshall, from Equality to Rockford, from Chicago to Cairo.

Year after year, we work to ensure everyone in Illinois has access to the humanities through our free programs, educational opportunities, and grants. Together, these create a special kind of magic that makes our communities more livable and brings people together.

As we look forward to our 50th anniversary in 2025, we are more committed than ever to championing a statewide humanities ecosystem. You – our supporters, partners, and participants – are how the public humanities happen. Your belief in the power of history, heritage, storytelling, arts, and culture has made all the difference in making Illinois a state that is more just, creative, and connected.

From all of us at Illinois Humanities, we wish you a warm and restorative holiday season. Here's to finding happiness in one another, and to all the ways we'll continue putting the humanities to work across Illinois in 2025 and beyond.